Introducing...

My Tiara, I call her Queen Latifah. She is beautiful, strong and talented!

I have referred to her a few times of late, but want to expand a bit, now that I've quilted several projects on her.

I had decided, earlier this year, to make a long arm purchase. I love quilting, especially free-motion, and thought I might like to quilt for others in the future.

I began by talking to my long-arm quilter friends, practically interviewing them about their machines. Each person was so helpful, and I received the best information. I asked each what they liked about their machine, what they didn't like, and any advice they had. Several recommended that I test drive a variety of brands in order to find the machine that worked for me. I also joined several different quilter groups on line, they were helpful and informative as well, again recommending test-drives. To that end, I attended the Original Sewing and Quilting Expo in Raleigh this past June. A group of friends went with me, which made it even more fun. One of my friends, Laura, was on the same mission as I so we enjoyed test driving the machines and comparing notes. (She purchased an APQS George).

All the machines were nice, all did a wonderful job quilting. The stand-up long-arm that I fell for? The Juki Virtuoso. I loved the smooth lines, the amazing handling and all the lights! I also really liked the HQ Avante, beautiful, smooth quilting.
Since all the machines I tried were great, and all the people I spoke to were helpful, I had to consider more of my specific needs. At this point in my life, I quilt for me. Most of my projects do not have a time frame, and while I do quilt for friends, it is not my primary business, so the machine I buy needed to fit my style.
I went with the Tiara for several reasons.

The primary reason: I love free-motion-quilting, moving the quilt with my hands, making designs using the needle as my pen. Second: The quilting on a sit-down long arm would not require learning a new way of moving. My mother has a stand-up long-arm, a Gammill, and I have quilted on it and love many of the features such a machine brings. HOWEVER, that would require a learning curve for my quilting, time practicing in order to get my quilting skills up to speed. With a sit-down machine, no learning curve required.
Plus, I can trade in my Tiara for a stand-up long arm if I decide that is what I want in the future.

The extra space under the needle, the bright LED lights (I have added extra lights as well), the extensions on the table, make this such a joy. I quilt as often as I can! I have started trying build up a few UFO's so I will have something to throw under the needle! I am learning ruler work and having fun trying new threads. I have a supportive dealer and am a member of a great user group so I feel I have 24/7 support. But I have had no problems learning this new machine. She is such a good sport and likes everything I have thrown at her. I am very happy with this machine!

DSM, Table-top LA, LA on Frame: a comparison

My dear friend Phyllis, asked me which I preferred for quilting: my domestic sewing machine (DSM), a sit-down long-arm (the HQ Sweet 16 I test-sewed) or a long-arm on a frame. I replied, in a perfect world, ALL 3!


So how about a comparison? I will start with the DSM.
PROS: Well, I already own 2 Viking Sapphires, which have a large throat for FMQ. They are portable (while really heavy) can be used anywhere, and stored away (as if I would do that!). Needles and threads can be easily purchased. The DSM can be used for a variety of sewing. I am very accustomed to these machines!
CONS: Even with a larger than normal throat, the area around the needle is short, and visibility is not great, I have a variety of tables arranged to hold my quilt as I work on it, but the quilts can still be heavy to move. Quilts need to be basted.
STILL: I like the ease of moving my fabric to create my stitch paths.

On to the Sit-Down long arm. These are the new "it" machines in the Quilting world. Gammill is bringing theirs out this year. Handi Quilter makes the Sweet 16, and Baby Lock has the Tiara (which are actually the same machines with different name badges). Bailey, Tin Lizzie and APQS have sit down machines as well. I have used both the HQSS and the Baby Lock versions. And WOW! I love the visibility!
PROS: The LED light ring around the needle, coupled with the height of the arm means you can see very well. That additional height and the width of the arm mean there is plenty of space for your quilts. These machines come with a custom table and do not take up a tremendous amount of space. For me, the quilting is the same as on my DSM: I move the fabric under the needle, so the learning curve of quilting on this is minimal.
CONS: table extensions (which are needed to hold your quilt) cost extra; these are specialized machines and the learning curve can be steep. You have to learn how to maintain the machine as well as learning how to operate it. Some can be adapted for use on a frame, others can not. Quilts need to be basted.
STILL: the movement of fabric is the same as with the DSM, so that is a plus!

The long arm on a frame. My line is: I will have a long arm when I grow up!
PROS: quilts are pinned to the frame, so any size quilt (depending on the length of frame rails) can be quilted easily, longer and higher throat to accommodate quilt bulk and enhanced viewing. Most come with optional stitch-regulator which can keep your stitches even as you learn. CAN use pantographs (pre-marked stitch paths)
Quilts can be basted on frame if needed.
CONS: Take up a lot of space, NOT cheap (although prices range from maker to maker and with or without bells and whistles), completely different from free-motion with a DSM or Sit-Down machine as you move the machine over the quilt. Learning curve for pinning on frame, tension, moving machine is steep, not impossible, but it does take practice. Needles, threads and supplies may not be easily and/or locally available.

The stitching on a long-arm on a frame vs. the stitching on a sit-down machine are distinctive, while they accomplish the same goal, the appearances are different. As a quilter, I really enjoy the quilting as well as the piecing, but it has taken years to feel confident with my FMQ. I know that going to a long-arm will frustrate me as I work to master the movement of the machine over the fabric, however, I still want one. We have a king-sized bed, and although I have FMQed king-sized quilts, they are heavy and basting on the floor is hard on my body.

I am planning on attending a quilt show in a few weeks to test drive as many as possible. Hope I will be adding a long-arm to my stable in the near future!

Please share your thoughts and experiences! I really appreciate the information!

on a roll..

Another completion! 

 Daydreams

This is a small (16"x18") art quilt for a challenge at my LQS (Sewingly Yours). We each received a small pice of fabric to design a quilt around. My fabric is the orange mottle fabric. I love orange and this fabric is so bright. It was fun to work with no set plan in mind. 

I pieced the background and appliqued the sun. The free motion was so fun. My new Baby Lock is awesome!

This is also a Viewer's Choice show. Maybe I'll get some votes!

The one I bought

I was stunned by the great response to my query about a new machine. All were so helpful. In the end, I test-sewed and bought this beauty:

She's a Baby Lock Quest Plus (Model number: BLQ2-PL). 

What I like: the built-in dual feed (walking foot) that works with all the feet, even the 1/4" foot; the independent bobbin winder; the space for large spools of thread and all the accessories that were included (the acrylic extension table and all the feet I need). I also like the solid-ness of it. She's mostly metal and very quiet.We are getting to know each other.

I did not test a Juki, simply because there is not a dealer near me. One of the very important things for me is ease of service and my LQS provides that. I still want (not need) a long-arm but I can wait. And I can use my mom's Gammill! At this point, I just really enjoy FMQ and want to expand on that. I am keeping my Viking Sapphire, she has a longer arm and will come in handy for doing large pieces. She is going in for service and a long-overdue rest!

Thank you so much for all of your comments, I really appreciate them.

Sewing/Quilting machine(s)

I am in a quandry. We are getting a tax refund this year (thanks to the move, and college tuition!) and I am going to use part of it for a new machine. I have, and love a Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 830. I use it every day, and get it serviced regularly. The repairman told me that I sew too much, and I do not want to burn out my machine! My quandry is that I really, really want a long-arm. But with said kid still in college, and me being in a not-too-secure job situation (textiles), I can not take the leap for a machine that costs more than my car (Gammill=$$$$)! My LQS (where I purchased my Sapphire) now carries BabyLock in addition to the Vikings, but none have the throat space that I currently have. I have been looking at a Juki TL98Q in combination with a Grace frame. I could use the machine on a table top and then on the frame as well. I need some opinions! Anyone out there have a Juki? A Grace frame? Another machine with a long throat? My Sapphire has an 11" throat which makes FMQing a large quilt easier to handle. Can I use my Sapphire on a Grace frame? Advice? Thanks in advance!